University of Kentucky quarterback Maxwell Smith (11) fights to break free from University of Louisville's Roy Philon (93) during the first half of play at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. September 2, 2012 (Photo: John Sommers II John Sommers II/Special to the C)

University of Louisville quarterback Adam Froman (9) fights to break free from Roy Philon (93) in the Spring Red White game at Papa Johns Stadium in Louisville, KY. (By John Sommers II, Special to the Courier-Journal) April 16, 2010 (Photo: cj)

University of Louisville's Roy Philon (93) sacks Ohio University quarterback Derrius Vick (15) during the first half of play at Papa John's Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. September 1, 2013 (Photo: John Sommers II John Sommers II/Special to The C)

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Former Louisville defensive tackle Roy Philon is back home in Lexington, chasing his NFL dreams. He spent the past three months or so working out in Denver and trying to convince NFL teams that he could fill a roster spot for them.

His Pro Day helped. He measured at 6-foot-2 and change and 300 pounds and came away with the impression that he'd shown scouts he can move for a D-tackle.

Philon, who said he worked out with the New England Patriots earlier this month, was eighth in tackles in his final season with Louisville last fall. He had 41 tackles -- 12 for loss -- and also racked up four sacks.

The Courier-Journal caught up with Philon on Wednesday.

What are you up to these days? Where are you training?

PHILON: I was training in Louisville and now I'm in Lexington for the week.

What's this post-college process been like?

PHILON: It's going really well. I went out in Denver on Jan. 15, and got back two Thursdays ago. I did the bulk of my training for Pro Day out there. Everything went really well for me. I ran well. I showed the scouts that I could move.

What are you hearing from NFL teams?

PHILON: I just did a work out with the New England Patriots. I got calls from Miami -- from about six or seven different teams, talking about my highlight films and the background checks. They're trying to get a feel of who I am because I wasn't a high-profile guy. They were really happy seeing my film. It's just about getting that work out now.

What did the guys who saw your Pro Day say?

PHILON: A lot of the scouts told me to keep working. They were impressed with my numbers, with what I weighed in at and how good I was able to move. 6-2, 300.

What do you make of all this chatter about Teddy? Are you surprised he's been the most talked about prospect?

PHILON: I'm not really surprised with it. They had to figure out something that was wrong with Teddy. I didn't think he threw that bad, but I'm not a scout. I know Teddy's a good player. He won games. He's done it the past two years and one day doesn't make a person. I think Teddy's gonna come out OK in the Draft.

What does he bring to a team?

PHILON: His leadership and his elusiveness on the field. He's a play maker at the end of the day. If you need a first down, he's going to get it. His work ethic is one of the big things for me. Most quarterbacks think they've got it all, that 'I'm on ESPN' and don't need to work anymore and all that. But he works the same way whether he's on ESPN or in the news or not.

Have you checked in with your old teammates? How are they liking the new coaching staff?

PHILON: They say they love Coach Petrino and that he's a great guy and bringing the program up. They love him overall as a coach. I guess his coaching style is totally different from how Coach Strong was.

Louisville loses a lot of good defensive players. Who do you think steps up and fill those spots?

PHILON: I'm looking for (linebacker) Keith Kelsey. I think he's gonna step up big time. (Defensive linemen) Sheldon Rankins and DeAngelo Brown, those two guys were really key for us last season, too.

I assume you'll be following the team closely next year?

PHILON: I'll be watching every game. I taught those guys a lot of what I know as far as the process, and I want to see them grow as people. I just want to see them grow and do well, or even be better than what I did.

Have you heard from Charlie Strong at all?

PHILON: Not a whole lot, but he did send me a text to make sure I was finishing school. I'm getting my master's here in April. He's big on finishing up on that. He wanted to make sure I was getting my education.

What's the master's degree in?

PHILON: It's a master's in criminal justice (which was his bachelor's degree, too). I want to get in law enforcement, maybe on the federal level. With the action between football and law enforcement, they go hand in hand. I wanna keep tackling people.

I have to ask: How disappointed are you that the NCAA passed the all-you-can-eat rule after you left?

PHILON: I am a big eater. That's crazy that they put that rule in after I left. I'm sad about that. It's gonna help the guys a lot more. It's one less thing you have to spend money on. If you get unlimited meals, that's one thing you won't have to worry about with your bills.